Solutia has been selected to supply its Therminol VP-1 synthetic heat transfer fluid for a new concentrating solar power plant, Solnova 4, in Sevilla, Spain. The 50-MW solar power plant, which is managed by Abener, is scheduled to commence operations in 2010. This plant will be located in Abener's Solucar Platform complex, where several solar plants will also be installed.
Solutia has been previously selected by Abener to supply Therminol VP-1 for two hybrid solar power plants. One of the facilities is located in Ain-Ben-Mathar, Morocco with a capacity of 470 MW and the other plant is located in Hassi R'Mel, Algeria with a capacity of 170 MW. The concentrating solar power plants in both these facilities will have power output capacity of 20 MW each. Therminol VP-1 was chosen by Abener because of its capability to meet the demands of high temperature systems as well as for Solutia's experience in solar projects for more that 20 years.
Richard Altice, Solutia's Vice President of Commercial Services, Technical Specialties, said that the selection of Therminol VP-1 reaffirms the confidence reposed on the company by Abener as a trustworthy supplier. It also underscores Solutia's commitment to Abener as well as to other companies in the fast-growing solar market. Keith Pearson, Solutia's Global Supply Chain Manager, Specialty Fluids, said that the company was capable of meeting the requirements of concentrating solar power plants across the world through its network of global supply chain.
Concentrated solar power system heats up the Therminol heat transfer liquid up to 400 degrees centigrade. Steam is generated by using the heated Therminol that drives electricity generating turbines.